2022 Borsao Selección Tinto
Regular price £8.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"Possibly the single greatest dry red wine value in the world, this is an unbelievable wine … any wine retailer worth his weight should be stockpiling this wine next to the cash register ...I don’t understand how anyone can make wines this good to sell at this price… 90 points.” Robert Parker, the Wine Advocate #203.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Rich, plum and red berry fruit with a touch of spice on the nose.
Palate
Balanced yet concentrated red fruit mingles with darker spice and chocolate characters to give weight and layers to the palate. Plump ripe tannins add grip to this classic style of Garnacha.
Production
From selected 15 to 30-year-old vines grown in low yielding hillside vineyards around 600m above sea level. Soils are stony with some sand. The Tempranillo and Syrah grapes are trellised, but Garnacha is bush vine. Harvest usually takes place in the first two weeks of October. Varieties are vinified separately (22-24º C) in stainless steel with 10-15 days maceration.
History
The winery was established as a co-operative in 1959. In 2001 it joined with two other progressive, co-operative, cellars in the Campo de Borja region to become the Bodegas Borsao that we know today.
Grapes are sourced from over 375 member growers covering 2,400 hectares - nearly a third of the region's total. Vineyards lie in the undulating foothills of the Moncayo mountain, ranging from around 350m to 800m above sea level. At lower altitudes vines are younger and may require some irrigation, but higher up the slopes the vines are older, unirrigated bush vines.
The climate is rather severe and arid, with hot dry days, and cool nights - which allow optimium acidity levels to be maintained within the grapes. Garnacha thrives in these conditions and represents 65% of total production. The Cierzo wind from the Moncayo sweeps across the foothills of the mountain. This cold, dry wind reduces humidity levels and allows grapes to be picked a couple of weeks later in the harvest, at full maturity.
Borsao has access to a large number of vineyard plots at different altitudes, and hence to a wide selection of fantastic quality grapes. They are recognised for their entry-level varietals - as outstanding examples of easy-to-drink inexpensive wines - as they are for their premium wines, in particular the iconic, multi-award-winning Tres Picos.
Sustainability
With 2,400 hectares of vineyards, Bodegas Borsao is a substantially sized operation in a warm, dry region and as a result the availability and usage of water is a major issue. All new plantings have reverted to the traditional style of bush training to preserve water. Inter-row plantings are used to improve the water-holding capacity of the soil and protect it from erosion. These cover crops mean that less spraying and tending of the vines is required, thus fewer passes are made by tractors which reduces the compaction of the soil and the consumption of diesel. Pheromone treatments are also employed to sexually confuse predatory insects, reducing their populations significantly.
These cover crops mean that less spraying and tending of the vines is required, thus fewer passes are made by tractors which reduces the compaction of the soil and the consumption of diesel. Pheromone treatments are also employed to sexually confuse predatory insects, reducing their populations significantly.
Awards
- 2019 Vintage - Silver at the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards
- 2016 Vintage - Silver at the 2017 Sommelier Wine Awards
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 85% Garnacha, 10% Syrah & 5% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.2 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Food Matches | A perfect accompaniment to chicken dishes, paella or chorizo. |
Allergy Information | Contains Sulphites & Egg |
Features | Vegetarian Approved |
Appellation | Campo de Borja |
2022 Ananto Organic Bobal Tempranillo
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A juicy, fruity organic red from Utiel-Requena, showcasing the region's increasingly fashionable, indigenous, Bobal variety.
Nose
Vibrant aromas of blueberry and blackberry
Palate
The palate has juicy plum and spice notes wrapped in supple tannins, offering a smooth, harmonious finish.
Producer
The 67 hectare Finca Fuenteseca estate lies in Utiel Requena, a high, rugged plateau, nearly 1,000 meters above sea level just inland from Valencia. The combination of hot, dry summers, cold nights and poor, limestone soil make the area relatively free of vine diseases and so ideal for organic farming. The entire estate is now dedicated to organic production and producing blends combining indigenous and international varieties.
Production Method
Vineyards are located in the north-west corner of Utiel Requena, 900 meters above sea level. Wines are made from organically grown grapes in vineyards cultivated using natural fertilisers, cover crops, biological control of pests and not using any chemical products that may damage the health of the environment. Grapes are cooled and undergo pre ferment whole bunch maceration before temperature-controlled tank fermentation.
A Note on Sustainability
Along with all its wines being certified organic and vegan, Sierra Norte is keenly involved in projects run by its D.O. that benefit local people and which defend the products of its region. In a wider environmental sense, Sierra Norte is developing a wastewater project by installing a treatment system plant to reuse water, as well as being involved in a photovoltaic solar panel installation project.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 65% Bobal, 35% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Organic, Sustainable |
Food Matches | Superb with roasts and stews, red meat dishes, small game, cheese or cold meats. |
Origin | Utiel Requena |
Appellation | DOP Utiel Requena |
2022 Melea Organic Tempranillo
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Background
The creation of Melea Organic was a labour of love for us all. William Long spent years searching for the right winery to supply the organic, vegan-certified and wild-fermented wines, his son Freddie handled the launch and the label features an original bee motif created by his wife, artist Barbara Long, from recycled threads.
Named after a rare species of bee, everything about the range is created with sustainability in mind, from the lightweight bottles to the stone paper labels, made from a by-product of the quarrying process using a lot less water than normal paper. Melea was also the first Spanish wine brand to become a member of 1% for the Planet. Melea has donated thousands of dollars to bee conservation charities since its launch in 2020. Melea Organic also has an Instagram page to share information on the brand’s sustainable values.
The Vineyards
Fruit comes from organically certified, bush-trained, dry-farmed vines in the Cuenca area of La Mancha. The vineyards were planted in 1999 and are at an altitude of 660m with sandy-clay soils, low in organic matter and high in chalk and limestone. This suppresses yields to just 3-4kg per plant, giving greater quality grapes and red wines with the structure to age well. The extreme continental climate means there is a high diurnal temperature range conserving freshness and increasing aromatic intensity. The lack of rainfall reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Production
Fermented with native yeasts, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in tank. Fined using vegan-friendly pea protein.
Producer
The family winery is located in Alicante and is a leader in the production of high-quality, organic wines. They are IFS-certified and produce wines with organic and vegan certification.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan, Vegetarian & Organic |
Food Matches | Simple Tapas dishes including olives, Manchego cheese and sundried tomatoes. |
Origin | Alicante |
Appellation | VdiT Castilla |
2021 Vega Piedra Rioja Tempranillo Tinto
Regular price £8.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Approachable, unoaked, young Rioja
Nose
On the nose, a young Rioja with lifted red berry fruit and hints of spice.
Palate
Bright red fruit with smooth tannins and a fresh finish
Production
The Tempranillo grapes are harvested in early October from vineyards in Rioja Alta. Vines on average 10-20 years old and the wine is unoaked.
Producer
Spanish wine has always played an important part in the Boutinot portfolio. We represent over 50 wineries that provide wines of great quality, value and interest from all corners of the country. For over 15 years we’ve worked in partnership with a handful of these wineries on ‘own label’ projects, combining their expertise and our passion for Spanish wines to bring our customers honest and eminently drinkable wines which we believe offer good value for money.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian. Vegan |
Food Matches | Drink with lamb kebabs, grilled chicken, stuffed peppers. |
Appellation | D.O.Ca. Rioja |
2021 Artesa Organic Rioja
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Appealing black fruit aromas and hints of sweet spice lead to juicy plum, raspberry and liquorice characters on the palate. The finish is elegant and poised with ripe tannins.
Nose
On the nose, one finds really enticing sweet cherry fruit, with dry, fine tannins.
Palate
The palate is complex with juicy bramble fruit, black pepper, and lifted, savoury characters. There is a good amount of fruit-driven intensity with a vibrant, complex, spicy palate, and the oak provides some sweetness and a lick of vanilla and cream soda. An archetypal young rioja, just brilliant!
Estate
This large, family-owned estate draws from 800 hectares of elevated hillside vineyards in some of the best zones of Rioja Baja. Thanks to a combination of the high quality of the grapes from these vineyards and modern vinification cellars, the young, unoaked wines are fresh and vibrant with good richness of fruit for wines at this level.
200 hectares of estate vineyards near Alfaro provide the basis of the Artesa range and the best of these, at high altitude (500 to 600 metre), with mature vines and poor, stony soils, have been converted to organic production. Fermented in stainless steel, and matured for 6 months in new American oak barrels, the wine produces fresh redcurrant and cherry aromas together with woody, herbal notes.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Organic |
Food Matches | Drink with casseroles, red meat or manchego cheese or if you’re feeling adventurous, chargrilled mackerel! Also great with pasta, rice and veggie dishes. |
Appellation | D.O.Ca. Rioja |
N/V Marques de la Concordia Tapas Tempranillo Rosé
Regular price £6.99 Sale price £5.99 Save 14%Tasting Notes
Cherry colour, red fruits on the nose, especially raspberry. On the palate, it is crisp, refreshing and well balanced.
Production Method
Saignée is applied to the red grapes. Careful maceration ensures aromatic freshness. Fermentation takes place without the presence of lees under controlled temperatures of no more than 20C in stainless steel vats for 10-12 days.
What is the Saignée Method? From the French word for “bleeding”, the saignée method is a by-product of making red wine where a small amount of juice is bled off early in fermentation. This helps increase concentration of the remaining juice in the same way you'd reduce a sauce to intensify flavours!
Producer
Rioja Baja is where it all began. Hacienda Marqués de la Concordia, an old sugar factory turned into a wine estate, is where the company keeps tradition alive while breaking new ground. They have experimental status in the vineyard, as it allows the producer to experiment with different grapes varieties. They allow some “international” grapes into their “creole” wines, which is what makes the wines innovative and exciting.
Specifications
Year | n/v |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol | 9 units per 750ml |
Type | Rosé |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Awaiting info |
Dietary Information | Awaiting info |
Origin | L.G.P. Castilla la Mancha |
Food Matches | Fish, seafood, white meats and cured meats |
2019 Casa Santos Lima Topo Lisboa
Regular price £9.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Red fruits and aromatic exuberance!
Tasting Notes
A wine characterized by its aromatic exuberance, with notes of red fruits and vanilla. In the mouth, it is fruity with velvety notes of red ripe fruits, balanced by notes of spices, chocolate, and some oak notes. An elegant wine with firm tannins and a fruity finish.
Production
Producer
Casa Santos Lima is a 4th generation family-owned winery based 45km north of Lisbon and they produce around 40% of all certified Lisboa wines.
Most of Casa Santos Lima's estates are located in Alenquer, 45km north of Lisbon, in a region where wine production is centuries old and the typical rural landscapes are gifted with enormous beauty. The vineyards are planted in gentle slopes with altitudes between 100 and 220 meters benefiting from an excellent sun exposition and a climate slightly tempered by the nearby Atlantic Ocean, 25 km away from the property.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"I first came across this wine on a trip to Lisbon more than a decade ago - it was the House Red in most of the trendy bars & restaurants I frequented. I was immediately impressed by its fresh, forward red fruits, tempered by lovely vanillin oak with very soft tannins. It’s got great structure, length & flavour that’s difficult to find at below £10 these days - so have a bash! So juicy, fruity, easy drinking and moreish!" Tasted 4 Dec 2023
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Castelão, Tempranillo, Shiraz/Syrah, Touriga Franca |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol Content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergy Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Vinho Regional Lisboa |
Lautus De-alcoholised Savvy Red (less than 0.5% alc)
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Pure red and black berries with a hint of oak and a gentle tannic grip. Non-alcoholic | Vegan friendly | Low in Calories
Tasting Notes
Showcasing pure red and black berry fruit flavours, with a touch of oak. The elegant palate is underpinned by fine tannin and juicy yet subtle fruit. To be enjoyed in its purest and natural form, without the restrictions of alcohol.
Winemaking
Gentle winemaking practices were followed to minimise the extraction of harsh tannins. Fermentation took place in upright fermenters with one to two pump overs per day. 26 – 28°C. Aged in oak for 9 -12 months prior to racking to the second phase of production.
Producer
Reg Holder started his career with vintages in France, Australia and the USA before returning to South Africa. He then spent 11 years as the winemaker at both Neil Ellis and Delheim. In 2015, while his wife was pregnant with their first child, he started experimenting with de-alcoholised wine for her. When they were expecting their second, in 2017, Reg decided that he was going to move full time into the Lautus de-alcoholised project.
Reg uses his traditional winemaking expertise to craft an outstanding base wine. He then removes the alcohol using a state of the art piece of machinery before carbonating (the traditional Champagne method cannot be used as it will create alcohol in the bottle) the de-alcoholised wine.
He then uses a state of the art piece of machinery that combines centrifugal force and a vacuum in order to extract the alcohol while leaving the wines’ volatile flavour and aromatic essence intact.
So how do they do it?! Remove the alcohol?
The alcohol is removed via spinning cone technology at low temperature under vacuum. The initial phase is to first remove the flavour, and set aside. The alcohol is then removed and once completed the flavour is added back to the de-alcoholised wine. Because there is significant volume loss during this process, a portion of the alcohol water is then again put through the process to extract the water, and added back. This helps to fill out the palate and balance acidity. Normal winemaking practices are followed from here in preparation for bottling. Alc: <0,5% RS: 24g/L ТA: 5.5 PH: 3.65
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Shiraz, Pinotage, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
<0.5% alc vol
|
Type | De-alcoholised Red Blend |
Calories |
12 calories per 100ml |
Sugar |
2.4g per 100ml |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian and low in calories |
Food Matches | Pairs just as nice with a slow cooked Coq Au Vin as a Traditional Beef burger or steak. Serve between 12-14C. |
Origin | Coastal Region, South Africa |